Improvement in game apparatus



O. G. KNIGHT. Game Apparatus.

No. 213,209. Patented Mar. 11, 1879.

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' ATTORNEY N. FETEflS.'FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER, WASHXNGTON, D c,

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES G. KNIGHT,

OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME APP ARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,209, dated March 11, 1879; application filed September 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES G. KNIGHT, of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Parlor and Lawn Croquet- Games; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

The drawing is a representation of a perspective view of my improved game.

This invention has relation to improvements in parlor and lawn games.

The object of my invention is to devise a game which will combine the interest and something of the science of billiards with the amusement of croquet.

The game consists in a number of consecutive arches, arranged usually in two series,

and the series at obtuse angles to each other, each arch having a pendent numbered disk, and the alternate disks of contrasting colors, and is counted by forcing an object-ball, arranged in front of the central arch, through an arch carrying a disk of the same color, by striking it, through the medium of a one or mallet, with a ball upon the base-line, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawing, the letters A B represent the two series of arches, usually hinged together at their contiguous ends for convenience of folding. These arches may be formed by a rail having a number of pins projecting therefrom, and provided with means of attachment to a floor or lawn; but I do not confine myself to this construction.

In each arch is suspended a vibrating numbered disk, a, alternate disks being differently colored, and contrasting strongly with each other.

The balls with which this game is played are of the same colors as the disks or valves, and may be made of wood or other suitable material; but instead of being fully colored they may be marked simply with a ring.

I usually use black and white in coloring both the disks and balls, as affording the strongest contrast.

This game is played with a bridge and a preferably curved one, or with a wallet, sides being chosen as in croquet. Black having the first play, a white ball is spotted from three to five feet from thecentral arch, and a base-line drawn from twelve to fifteen feet from the said arch. Black places the ball upon the baseline and strikes it with a mallet or cue,so as to drive it against the spot-ball, his object being to drive the white ball through a whitevalved arch, and the black one through a black-valved arch. Should he succeed he scores the sum of the numbers on the valves to his side; or he may score the difference only between them for himself or his opponent, as the case may be. Black having played, white takes his turn, the white ball, if previously driven through an arch, being respotted. If there are a number of balls in the arena, a player may play on any ball he may select; and should all the balls be in the arena and none left to play with, they will be removed to base, the white ball spotted, and the game proceed as before. Should one side have exhausted its balls, it may purchase of the other side at a cost of a number of points per ball.

At each end of the arches is a low fender or stop, D, the object of which is to prevent the balls from escaping from the arena at the sides.

\Nhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The jointed arches A B, having a valve in each arch, alternate valves being of the same color and provided at their ends with the stops D, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES GODFREY KNIGHT.

Witnesses:

H. B. ALBERY, FRANK W. ARNOLD. 

